Seventh Sorrow

February 19, 2007|By Chris Engle, Staff Writer

GAYLORD — Four guys. Seven sorrows. One distinguished sound. After taking first place at the Battle of the Bands Jan. 25 in Grayling, the guys of local band Seventh Sorrow have joined up with the Herald Times for its first ever online musical podcast feature.

Lead singer, Frankie Schweizer Jr. fielded the questions of Herald Times Staff Writer Chris Engle on Tuesday by phone, revealing a look at the band’s past, present and future. The rest of the guys shared a few words on Wednesday.

HT: From where did the name “Seventh Sorrow” originate?

FS: Where we used to practice at there were a bunch of ladybugs in the ceiling and whenever someone would mess up, it meant they got bit. I looked up information on ladybugs to see if they actually bite and found out they have seven spots. The old drummer was the seventh born son in his family and was a pretty religious guy, and the seven spots are also referred to as the seven sorrows of the virgin Mary. It just sounded cool so we went with it.

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HT: Seventh Sorrow recently won the “Battle of the Bands” in Grayling. What separated the band from the rest?

FS: If I could say one thing we had over the rest of the bands, it’s that we have a huge stage presence. It’s not just about how we sound. We believe in what we’re playing, and you can see it in our eyes and our movement.

HT: What would you describe as the band’s funniest or embarrassing on-stage moment?

FS: I’ve been hit in the face with a guitar, our drummer has thrown sticks in the middle of songs, chords cut off in the middle of a song … Things happen but we just keep playing.

“I once jabbed an audience member in the ribs with a guitar on accident,” added Hornacek.

HT: Where has the band played in the past and what would be considered the best venue or crowd?

FS: We played the Nautical Festival and that was the first show that we had people asking for autographs. We also played a New Year’s party in Boyne City and a lot more people showed up than expected. It was pretty intense. Winning the Battle of the Bands was the best feeling yet.

“The crowd really got into it in Boyne City. It was fun playing for ‘em,” said drummer Jesse Peppas.

HT: Where will Seventh Sorrow be five years from now?

FS: We started this because we all loved music. Things have fallen in place so well that we’re looking to get on the road soon. I see us with a label doing the thing we love to do. Maybe we’ll be playing Cobo Hall.

“Hopefully working on our third CD under a label,” added bassist Dave VanDenHoek.